Articles

Pre-clinical evaluation of a new antimicrobial enzyme system for the control of wound bioburdenWOUNDS: a compendium of clinical research and practice 21(3):65-73

A new, optimized, antimicrobial enzyme system was developed for the control of wound bioburden. This Glucose oxidase – Lactoperoxidase – Guaiacol (GLG) system was analyzed for antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity.
The susceptibility of a wide range of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains to the GLG-enzyme system was analyzed using Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC90), Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) determination and growth kinetics analysis.

In addition, challenge tests and cytotoxicity tests were performed with a new hydroactive alginate gel dressing with antimicrobial activity obtained by the presence of the GLG-enzyme system (Flaminal® Forte).
All bacterial strains were susceptible at low concentrations of the GLG-enzyme system. The exact concentration required for growth arrest and cell death was dependent on the experimental set-up.
Further, a 20% (w/v) Flaminal® Forte dilution showed no cytotoxicity towards fibroblasts and keratinocytes. By contrast, other antimicrobial wound-care products applied in the same dilution showed a high degree of cytotoxicity.
With increasing concerns about bacterial resistance to antibiotics, this study clearly shows that low concentrations of the GLG-enzyme system are successful in killing antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Furthermore, results show that Flaminal® Forte combines strong antimicrobial activity with non-cytotoxicity, promoting optimal wound healing.